Part of the experience of Japan were the varied hotel experiences I had. Heres a summary of the places are stayed in Japan, with the highs, lows, pics, and websites

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Tokyo - Shinjuku Kuyakusyomae Capsule Hotel
http://www.ars-shinjuku.com/about.html
Style -     capsule
Location :   5 mins from Shinjuku Station and Studio Alta east exit. Branching off line for 
          many  metro lines, and trains to major cities like Osaka/Kyoto. JR Yamonote    
          circle line and Chou Express to Tokyo Stations included in JR pass. 
          Very difficult to find when you first arrive
Nightlife :   one if the busiest in Tokyo, lots of neon lights and billboards, strip clubs and               husslers, pinochet arcades
Room :     capsules stacked two high, included tv with 10 japanese stations, shelf, mirror,             roll down bllind
Clothing :   Japanese style robes provided with all toiletries with unlimited refills (towel,               shampoo, soap, toothbrush, razor, shaving cream, comb, hairdryer)
Bathing :   communal sit down showers, hot tub, massage tub, sauna
Clientele :   mostly japanese businessmen, hardly any tourists
Gender :    mens only
Food :     restaurant with eggs breakfast or cooked fish available for purchase
Storage :   lockers provided and seperate room for large luggage
Power outlets : no plug outlets to recharge batteries except at reception desk
Language :   reception all speak good english
Extras :     clean set of clothes for purchase next day (shirt, tie, socks, underwear)
Pros :       best authentic japanese capsule experience, great atmosphere
Cons :      roll down shade still has light from hallways, some noise from other capsules 
Recommend : yes, would definately stay again
 
video : Tokyo Shinjuki Capsule Hotel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dzm8l5XxRM

 























































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 Kyoto - 9 hours 
http://9hours.jp/details/index/ (click on each picture for details) 
Style -     capsule
Location :   at main downtown intersection with department stores, metro station, shopping arcade
Nightlife :   walking distance to Gion and Geisha districts
Room :     alternating capsules stacked two high, no tv or shelf in capsule
Clothing :   sleeping jumpsuit with slippers provided, one set of toiletries and towel and no refills
Bathing :   private shower stalls, no communal tubs or sauna
Clientele :   tourists and japanese students
Gender :   dual sex but separated by floors
Food :     no food services
Storage :   lockers provided and ask reception to store large luggage
Power outlet : one socket in capsule
Language : reception usually speaks good english
Extras :   capsule has programmable light to power down/on in 30 minutes to simulate sunrise/sunset
Pros :     very futuristic space age look, great to take pics, capsule and hallway are completely dark for sleeping
Cons :    too sterile and ikea looking, no atmosphere or social areas, not a real capsule 
         experience, time you 17hrs from when you check in, a bit difficult to find at first
Recommend : yes, ok for one nite to take pics to say you stayed at a capsule
 
Here are videos and tv reports posted on youtube. 

youtube : news report 9 Hours Capsule Hotel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRT4dU6r-KQ

youtube : 9 Hours Capsule Hotel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvE3kdFfMLU












































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Osaka - Maruichi
http://www.maruichi-hotel.com/room.html (scroll down for japanese room, 3rd green tab has bathrooms)
Style :   Japanese room
Location : close to osaka and umeda stations, exit M14 to the large underground shopping 
         mall. have to ask for directions when you first arrive. Osaka circle line, airport line, 
         kyoto/kobe/nara lines all stop here
Nightlife : somewhat of a nightlife area but didnt explore much
Room :   sliding doors and floor bed, flat screen tv with 10 japanese channels
Clothing : kimono and slippers provided
Bathing : communal showers and hot tub, no sauna
Clientele : families, business travellers, tourists
Gender :  both sexes
Food :   self serve western breakfast
Storage : small entrance with sliding doors seperates room to store luggage and leave shoes
Power outlet : outlets in room
Language : reception usually speaks good english
Extras :   pay per view porn
Pros :    good location, breakfast included, quiet
Cons :    bathing room is separated by genders at different hours so be sure to check schedule
Recommend : yes, I'll stay again if I get good rates












































































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Overall best hotel - Tokyo Shinjuku capsule as if you hadnt guessed already!